Hyland was as stubborn as Griffith, but didn’t have Griff’s size and his aristocratic background to protect himself.

Griffith shouted at the butler as he and Clark walked out the door. “Send to Robson, have him meet us at the naval police station. And a note to Lady Della that I cannot meet her this evening after all.”

He really should get the man’s name.

“Yes, my lord,” the butler replied.

He and Clark kept a quick pace as they exited the house.

“I don’t have any money,” Griffith said, recalling he’d forgotten to put his jacket back on.

Clark looked over at him, not slowing as he replied. “All you have to do is wave your privilege around. That’ll get him out better than a hundred pounds would.”

Griff felt the weight of it on his shoulders, so heavy it felt as though it would break him. And he had very broad shoulders, well used to holding responsibilities.

But there were significant differences in being the captain of a ship and the incoming heir to an ancient title. The former—well, the former he could control with his actions. The latter he could only act under, knowing the only effect he could have would be a negative one.

Marrying the wrong woman, saying the wrong thing to the wrong person, ruining livelihoods with the wrong decision.

While he was determined to do the best he could, as he’d promised Frederick, he also knew how quickly he could foul it up.

Was it any wonder he longed for an escape into oblivion in her arms?

Chapter 10

“I couldn’t dissuade her, you know that.” Sarah flung her hands up as she continued to speak. “Your sister is even more stubborn than you are!”

She was walking back and forth in their small parlor, irritated frustration emanating with every step.

Olivia had finally left after demolishing no fewer than half a dozen biscuits and asking ten times that amount of questions.

Della couldn’t help but laugh at Sarah, even though of course she was frustrated as well. In so many ways.

“Olivia is—well, the most determined of the duke’s daughters,” she replied.

Sarah whirled to face her. “We should ask her to make inquiries about Henry. I am certain she would get answers.”

“Yes, if only so that she would go away. Lord Stanbury and I will continue our search tomorrow.” Even though they hadn’t gotten the chance to discuss that. Which made her think— “And if you will excuse me, there is an errand I have to run.”

Because if the mountain—in this case, Lord Stanbury, who was indeed a mountainous man—couldn’t come to Mohammed—her—then she would have to go to him.

“Do be careful,” Sarah warned, the tone in her voice indicating she knew precisely where Della was going. Or at least what she planned to do once she got there.